Sen. Linda Berglin's plan would restore the $125 cuts until at least July 1, 2005, as well as some of the rent aid.
(MPR Photo/Laura McCallum)

St. Paul, Minn. —
(AP) Sen. Linda Berglin said Friday she plans to
introduce legislation that would delay some cuts to the disabled
poor.

The funding, cut during the last legislative session to help
balance the budget, would be replaced with $13.5 million the state
recently received from the federal government - a bonus for
Minnesota's success in moving people from welfare to work.

Earlier this year, lawmakers voted to cut $125 per month in
benefits for each disabled person who receives Supplemental
Security Income, as well as $50 for families who get help paying
for rent.

Berglin's plan would restore the $125 cuts until at least July
1, 2005, as well as some of the rent aid.

"If we would have had that money last session, I don't believe
we would have made this cut," said Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis,
chairwoman of the committee that deals with health and human
services funding.

Angel Buechner, 30, a single mother of four from Minneapolis, is
among those who have been struggling more than usual to make ends
meet since the cuts went into effect.

She lost a collective $250 for two sons who are disabled and $50
in rent assistance, which if not reversed, would add up to $3,600
over the year.

Berglin's House counterpart, GOP Rep. Fran Bradley, said it was
fine to "throw ideas on the table," but too early to lock in on
anything specific. He added that the needs Berglin identified
wouldn't top his list.

The cuts Berglin wants to restore are also the subject of a
class-action lawsuit in Ramsey County. The next hearing on the case
is scheduled for Dec. 3.